Shantika Dorsey

Professional career

• Sworn in on January 26, 2026 in Toms River by Superior Court Judge Wendel Daniels, who had previously supervised her as his law clerk
• Superior Court of New Jersey judge assigned to the Ocean County Family Division (Vicinage 14) and was formally sworn in as the Ocean Vicinage’s first African American female judge in January 2026
• Superior Court Judge in the Ocean Vicinage of New Jersey, sworn in on January 26, 2026, to the Family Division, marking a historic milestone as the Ocean Vicinage’s first female African American judge
• Formally sworn in in Toms River, New Jersey, by Superior Court Judge Wendel Daniels, who had earlier supervised her as his law clerk

Education

Additional information

• Joined by family, friends, and other judges, including Assignment Judge Francis Hodgson
• The event was attended by family, friends, and other judges, among them Assignment Judge Francis Hodgson
• The ceremony marked a historic milestone — the first time the Ocean Vicinage’s first African American judge administered the oath to its first female African American judge.
• Daniels praised her legal skill, professionalism, and character, and noted the ceremony’s significance as the first time the Ocean Vicinage’s first African American judge administered the oath to its first female African American judge
• , public reports highlight that Dorsey’s judicial career began with legal clerkship work, which led to her appointment to the bench
• Her appointment is notable for its representation and diversity within the New Jersey judiciary, as well as for the symbolic weight of the oath being administered by the Ocean Vicinage’s first African American judge
• While the official profiles do not detail her prior legal career, her appointment and the ceremonial remarks highlight her legal skill, professionalism, and leadership.
• Her initial judicial assignment was to the Ocean County Family Division, effective upon taking the oath of office
• The New Jersey Courts official roster confirms her active status and jurisdiction
• She is a member of the New Jersey Judiciary and is subject to the state’s judicial conduct and procedural rules
• Official judicial roster and biographical details